The Tampa Bay Rays and free-agent RHP Joel Peralta agreed Monday to terms on a new two-year, $6 million contract, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Peralta told the newspaper that there were better offers from at least two teams, but once he got what he considered a fair offer from the Rays he told agent Mark Gilling to take it.

Joel Peralta had a 3.63 ERA in 2012. (AP Photo)

The deal also includes a $2.5 million option for a third year.

“Some teams offered a little bit more money, but I got what I thought I was worth and I was happy with it,'' Peralta told the Times from the Dominican Republic. "I didn't want to go anywhere else.''

The deal is pending a physical, which may not take place until next week, one reason the Rays haven't announced the deal.

Peralta, who turns 37 in March, appeared in 76 games in 2012 and 71 in 2011 as the Rays’ primary set-up man. He was 2-6 with two saves and a 3.63 ERA last season, during which he was suspended eight games when umpires found excessive pine tar in his glove during a June game in Washington.

The Times noted that re-signing Peralta keeps intact the Rays late-inning combo. The team already had picked up the option on RHP Fernando Rodney, the team’s closer, and LHP Jake McGee also is set to return.